November Husky Herald 2024 by ismhuskies

THE HUSKY HERALD

ISM REMAINS TOP PRIVATE SCHOOL

NICHE RANKS ISM #1 IN MINNESOTA & TOP 50

NATIONALLY

Niche com is a leader in K-12 school rankings that connect families with schools

Annually, schools are reviewed and given a letter grade based on various criteria

With 2025 rankings recently announced, we are pleased to announce that ISM continues to be recognized as an A+ school and is identified state-wide as the #1

Best Private K-12 School for the third year in a row In addition, ISM is the only private K-12 school in Minnesota that ranks within the top 50 out of 3,180 private K-12 schools nationally

ISM rankings nationally:

Top 1%: Most Diverse High Schools in America

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Fall is in the air! ISM staff enjoyed meeting families and sharing student progress at conferences As we welcome November, revision week and end-of-term exams will officially close out Term 1 of the 2024-2025 schoolyear. Pleasebesuretoreviewthegradelevel exam schedules in order to support your student’s performance on exams the week of November 18th through the 22nd Consistent studyroutines,useoftheresourcesprovidedon the SABIS® Digital Platform, and regular attendance are the foundations for student success

Pleasetaketimetoreviewthenewafterschool offerings for Term 2 and register for those activitiesassoonaspossible,asspaceislimited

This month, we will enjoy the fall play on November8thand9th Besuretosavethedate andjoinusaswecelebratethehardworkofthe castandcrew

During the month of November, we will be definingandidentifyinggratitude Keepaneye out for messages and acts of kindness that expresshowthankfulweareatISM

Jeana Carrasco

JeanaCarrasco

ISMSchoolDirector

Top 2%: Best Private K-12 Schools in America

Best Private High Schools in America

Best High Schools for STEM in America

Top 4%: Best College Prep High Schools in America

ISM rankings statewide:

#1 Best High School for STEM

#1 Best Private High School

#1 Best College Prep High School

#1 Most Diverse Private High School

#1 Best Boarding High School

This recognition is a testament to the strength of our time-tested SABIS® curriculum, which holds firm in Minnesota and across the globe Our high AP® performance, student leadership opportunities, competitive robotics, math teams, and more elevate our students who stand out on college applications As a result, our seniors consistently receive acceptance into top colleges and universities In addition, ISM alums often express gratitude for their ISM education as they enter college, feeling extremely wellprepared and ahead of their peers. Students in the SABIS® Network are actively engaged in their learning, knowing what to expect in every instructional period with distinct learning objectives to be met and opportunities for students to work independently and in groups under their teacher’s guidance. Continue reading the full story on our website!

CELEBRATING RESILIENCE

HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

As early as 1916, when New York became the first state to declare an “American Indian Day,” efforts have been underway to acknowledge the many contributions and achievements of Native peoples In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial commemoration, President Gerald Ford proclaimed October 10-16, 1976, as “Native American Awareness Week.” In 1986, Congress passed November 23–30, 1986, as “American

Indian Week ” Congress continued this practice in subsequent years, declaring one week during the autumn months as “Native American Indian Heritage Week ” (Taken from United States Senate)

In 1990 Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (also known as Native American Indian Month). “American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now constitute

the United States of America,” noted H.J. Res. 577. “Native American Indians have made an essential and unique contribution to our Nation” and "to the world." Introduced by Hawaii senator Daniel Inouye and congressional delegate Eni Faloemavaega of American Samoa, the joint resolution stated that “the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon Federal, (cont onto next page)

CELEBRATING RESILIENCE (CONT.)

State, and local governments, interested groups and organizations, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities ” In 2008 the commemorative language was amended to also include the contributions of Alaskan Natives Every year, by statute and/or presidential proclamation, the month of November is recognized as National Native American Heritage Month

ISM students in Grades Preschool-12 all participated in creating a Turtle Island Mosaic (pictured below) for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, that is now on display in the hallway by the Main Office and will be displayed for the month of November in conjunction with honoring Native American Heritage Month Turtle Island is a name for the lands now known as

deep connection with nature This mosaic serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness with nature and with each other

Throughout the month of November at ISM, we will be featuring students who are part of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to learn more about the Dakota history, culture, food, and language through their eyes

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, October 14, Elianna Agunwamba (ISM '29), wrote a land acknowledgement for ISM:

North and Central America The name is based on the various creation stories of several indigenous peoples, from the Mexica in Mesoamerica to the Haudenosaunee in the Northeastern Woodlands. The concept of Turtle Island is deeply significant to many indigenous cultures, as it reflects their

HARVESTING HOPE

ISM LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“We at the International School of Minnesota acknowledge that this school was built on the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples, specifically the Dakota Nation of the Mdewakanton. We recognize and honor the people who have stewarded this land and their continuous contributions to our country We also acknowledge the centuries of ongoing displacement and oppression our state and federal government have inflicted upon Native Nations in order to unjustly acquire this land. Indigenous people are still here, and we are committed to protecting and honoring the history and people of this land. We are dedicated to reconciling and nourishing relationships with our Indigenous communities, thereby fostering a more inclusive school environment.”

ISM AGAINST HUNGER: OCTOBER FOOD DRIVE

Each year at ISM, in the month of October, SLO's Social Responsibility department leads an effort in partnership with People Reaching Out to People (PROP), a local organization in Eden Prairie that provides food and necessities to people who are experiencing food and financial insecurity We call this school-wide collection effort “ISM Against Hunger,” and it challenges our school community to come together for a greater cause This initiative not only provides vital resources to those in need, but also inspires everyone at ISM to play an activ contributions can lead to significant change in our community.

Throughout October, the SLO Social Responsibility Department posted several blue donatio boxes around ISM for students and families to drop off their contributions The SLO prefec collected, weighed, and organized the donations Kaia Frazier (ISM '25), Deputy Head of Soci Responsibility, stated, "Giving back to the Eden Prairie community not only allows us to hel others, but also unites the ISM community Through efforts like ISM Against Hunger and b partnering with PROP Food Shelf, we are able to positively impact families in need in our ow community " She worked in collaboration with our Jr Ambassador to ISM Against Hunge Ayan Jassim (ISM '36), to encourage ISM students, staff, and families to donate throughout th month of October Ayan has been ISM's largest contributor for three years in a row, and brough in over 700 lbs of food to donate to PROP last year He and his family continue to be ambassadors for this effort, and we extend a special thank you to Ayan and his family for helping support this effort! Last year, SLO’s goal was 1,800 lbs , and the ISM community exceeded this goal with a whopping 2,184 lbs ! This year ' s goal is to collect 2,200 pounds of food and necessities together as a school community So far, for the 2024 ISM Against Hunger Event, ISM students, staff, and families have collected and donated 934 8 lbs of food and necessities as of Monday, October 28th The deadline to reach our goal has been extended to Friday, November 8th Stay tuned for our total weigh-in amount Thank you, ISM community, for helping to better our greater community!

2023 ISM Against Hunger Event

GET READY TO LAUGH

"BAD AUDITIONS BY BAD ACTORS" BRINGS HILARITY TO THE STAGE

"Bad Auditions by Bad Actors," written by Ian McWethy, is a one-act comedy that brilliantly captures the chaos and absurdity of theater auditions The plot revolves around a frazzled casting director who is desperately trying to cast the lead role in "Romeo and Juliet " Unfortunately, every audition brings out an increasingly bizarre array of underprepared, over-the-top, and hilariously unqualified actors.

What makes the play so appealing is its relatable humor Anyone who's been involved in theater can recognize the exaggerated audition disasters from the over-dramatic method actor to the performer who might think he is a cat The casting director serves as the audience’s voice of reason, reacting with growing exasperation to the madness unfolding on stage Our Casting Director is Julia Buttry (ISM '28), who is new to the ISM stage this year. She says, “My favorite scene in the show would hands-down be the final scene, where everything goes haywire. I've never had a role this big, and I'm thrilled for opening night, but honestly nervous when it comes to memorizing my lines. Prepare to laugh so hard your sides hurt during the performance I know I have been.”

Cast member Logan Saba, who is also new to stage (ISM '29) shares, “ I joined the 24-25 fall play for fun and to do it with my sister Emma. Emma has always done theater and loved it, so at the beginning of the year I decided to join!” While she has been on the ISM stage in many spring musical productions, Emma Saba (ISM '31), is making her first appearance on stage in the Fall Play She reports “I am very excited for opening night because I can ’ t wait to hear the audience reactions ” For actors, this play is a delightful comedy playground. Each character boasts a unique and outlandish personality, providing numerous opportunities to showcase physical comedy and timing. “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors" is an entertaining romp through the often frustrating but always amusing world of auditions, delivering laughs and showcasing the chaos of live theater. Come out to see ISM’s Fall Play on November 8th and 9th at 6:00pm in the Leila C. Saad Performing Arts Center. General Admission tickets are $5.00 and will be available for purchase at the door. We hope to see you there!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LAURA ODEH (ISM '25)

INSIDE THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL

Over the spring break of my junior year, I had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the Minnesota High School Page Program at the state capitol Participating in the page program was a truly eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of the legislative process Throughout the week, I, along with my fellow pages, was able to meet key figures of our government such as the State auditor, the Speaker of the House, legislators from all backgrounds, and even lobbyists, which gave me a deeper appreciation of the roles and perspectives involved in state governance In addition to this, each page was given an opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with the representative of their district I personally enjoyed my meeting with my representative, Brad Tabke (pictured left), and found it fascinating to hear firsthand about the challenges and considerations involved in policy making.

As pages, we were given the chance to directly observe the inner workings of government on the House floor and through committee hearings, which we attended There, we witnessed live testimonies and gained insight into how laws and policies are shaped On the final day of the program, pages were even given the chance to hold our own mock committee. Beyond the educational aspects, the program fostered meaningful connections I bonded closely with the other pages, and we still keep in touch Recently, I even reconnected with one of them at a debate competition Overall, the experience was truly fascinating, offering both a comprehensive view of government operations and the opportunity to build lasting relationships

Cast of 2024 Fall Play

HELPING NAVIGATE THE PATHWAY TO COLLEGE

UPDATES FROM MR. COHEN’S COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE

What a whirlwind start to the school year it has been! With seniors knee deep in applying to college, it can be easy to forget the fall is not just a time for students to apply, but the best time for Mr Cohen and the ISM team to learn more and grow as a college prep school Over the course of the last month, Mr Cohen has been a part of a number of great opportunities to expand his knowledge as a college counselor to best support all ISM students, families, and staff members

COLLEGE VISITS TO MINNESOTA

This fall ISM has welcomed 18 universities over the first term of the school year. We had visits from high selective colleges like Northeastern University, to smaller liberal arts colleges like Ohio’s Oberlin College, to trade-specific schools like Minneapolis College of Art & Design to the most popular university for ISM students, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities These sessions are a great way for students to learn more about a specific university without traveling or competing with tons of other students It’s also an opportunity for universities to learn about ISM Before each information session, Mr Cohen is able to meet with each college representative to share big updates from the ISM community, details about what makes ISM special, and explain the rigor behind ISM coursework

In addition to hosting college representatives on campus, Mr Cohen travels to various small group counselor meetings throughout the Twin Cities to hear from other busier representatives like those from Harvard, Brown, and Georgetown These meetings provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of college admissions, allowing Mr Cohen to tailor his advice and strategies to better support ISM students By staying informed about what top universities are looking for, this ensures that ISM students are not only prepared but also competitive candidates These connections also help in building relationships with admissions officers, which can be beneficial for students when it comes to understanding what makes a standout application.

At the end of October, Mr. Cohen took our lowerclassmen to the National College Fair in Minneapolis. With over 250 colleges from all over the world, students got a low-stakes opportunity to practice how to talk with a rep so they are ready for those conversations when it matters as they formally start their college search process

NACAC NATIONAL CONFERENCES

In addition to doing everything we can to grow the name recognition of ISM in Minnesota, Mr Cohen got a valuable opportunity to travel to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling’s (NACAC) conference Mr Cohen attended sessions run by college admissions representatives and other professionals to grow his skills as a counselor He attended sessions on improving how we help students answer the ever-increasing number of supplemental essays, supporting trans students and identify colleges that best support these students, and general overviews of major trends in the college admissions world. Mr. Cohen also met with a number of representatives, especially from universities far away, where he was able to share a bit more in person about ISM. Mr. Cohen is already including these new ideas in our college counseling curriculum, and is excited to continue sharing updates in the admissions process with students, families, and staff.

HUSKY SPIRIT UNLEASHED

HOMECOMING WEEK 2024 RECAP

ISM's Homecoming Week proved to be a fun-filled week of spirit days, a pep fest, athletic games, and a dance. Students dressed up each day based on a theme, and we truly showed school spirit throughout all of the grade levels. Our two Husky mascots cheered us all on at the pep fest, and both the Homecoming soccer and volleyball games proved to be nail biters High School students closed out the week flooding the dance floor at the Homecoming Dance themed "Spies in Disguise," while trying to solve the ISM mystery of "The Case of the Missing Tannous " Fun was had by all, and students can't wait until the next spirit week, pep fest, and dance!

ISM HUSKIES ATHLETICS & ACTIVTIES

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH SPORTS: ISM CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL TERM 1

It was a fun and successful Term 1 for ISM Athletics and Activities programming ISM hosted new programs from preschool all the way up to high school Our programming and offerings have more than quadrupled in one year We are proud of our community and so thankful for the chance to give our families a well-rounded educational experience

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

As high school sports wrap up, we are pleased to say that our boys Soccer team was able to host a section playoff match and beat United Christian Academy in overtime. It was an incredible season, and we look forward to our growth as we head into the offseason The girls' Soccer and Volleyball teams faced a challenging schedule this year, featuring a roster filled with student-athletes who have a bright future ahead We wish them all the best as they enter their offseason

WINTER PREVIEW

We look forward to having many of our student athletes join Basketball, Strength Training, or any physical activity that promotes lifelong learning through athletics

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Middle School Soccer is going great! ISM is 4-2 and has two games left on the schedule. What an amazing start for these players as they help us build our vision.

WINTER PREVIEW

We will open up Middle School Basketball to ISM students as well The schedule will be the same as soccer (M/W)

PRESCHOOL-GRADE 8 ACTIVITIES

Debate, Math, Visual Arts, and Robotics are off to a smooth start with one first place finish by our varsity Robotics team Way to go team! Debate, Math, and Visual Arts are starting to ramp up their season competition and practice routines, and they are working extremely hard on their craft

What an exciting TERM 1 full of great programs and dedicated staff members As we wrap up Term 1, We are excited to share with you that we are introducing more new offerings hosted by our community programs! They include: KidsCreate, Martial Arts II, Arabic II, Science Explorers, Film North Content Creation, Young Engineers II, Ballroom Dancing, Coding for Kids, and Swimming

It's an exciting time for ISM Activities and Athletics, and we are very thrilled to share it with you. GO HUSKIES!

NOVEMBER 18-22